2010 toyota 4runner Reviews and News

If you want a preview of the mid-size SUV market over the next three years, take a gander at the new Toyota 4Runner. Now in its fifth generation, the brawny truck has dumped last year's 4.7-liter V-8 and is leaving the V-6 to carry its burden. Want to know what the segment will look like in five years? The 4Runner can show you that, too. New for 2010, there's a four-cylinder engine available.

Opt for the agony of moving 4300 pounds with the 157-hp four-cylinder, though, and you'll be rewarded with little more than the automotive equivalent of a gold-star sticker. Fuel economy climbs only 1 mpg in city and combined ratings, and there's no benefit over the six-cylinder on the highway. The 4.0-liter V-6 is a carryover from last year, with the addition of variable valve timing for both intake and exhaust and a slightly higher compression ratio. Its horsepower beats the old V-8's, but those with toys will lament the loss of 28 lb-ft of torque. Maximum towing capacity drops from 7300 to 5000 pounds, but the 4Runner is one of the first vehicles to comply with the new SAE tow-rating standard.

Still, the 4Runner hasn't gone totally soft. Historically a very capable off-roader, the 4Runner still uses a platform very similar to that of the FJ Cruiser. All four-wheel-drive models come with a low range, downhill assist, and an off-road traction program, while the Trail model adds a locking rear differential, crawl control, and a terrain-selection dial. Our time with a four-wheel-drive V-6 SR5, however, was relegated to suburban streets and highways, where the 4Runner is also quite competent.

The ride is comfortable in most situations, although hitting the right string of roadway patches and bumps elicits a side-to-side toss that reveals the live-rear-axle suspension. There's also an absolute lack of feedback in the steering wheel, but it's refreshing that Toyota hasn't dialed in artificial resistance to compensate. Instead, the steering effort always feels dead but perfectly weighted. And even though the 4Runner has grown in width and length, it's easy to place it in a parking spot.

Ask the V-6 to give its all, and the 4Runner does a pretty good rhinoceros impression, moving with surprising speed and authority. It's unexpectedly smooth sounding, too. From top gear, however, the five-speed automatic will perform two distinct - and somewhat slow - downshifts before the engine is really ready to hustle.

It's an impressive truck with a comfortable cabin and good on-road manners, but the 4Runner may be backing itself into a niche, raising serious questions about its future. The 4Runner's biggest problem just might be Toyota's expansive lineup, where the Highlander crossover and the full-size Sequoia SUV are compelling bookends to the typical buyer's needs. Furthermore, Toyota offers several other vehicles that make a convincing case for any need, whether it's off-roading, fuel economy, or people hauling. For that reason, we're not so sure that the 4Runner has a future ten years out. But for now, it's here, it's new, and it's everything you ever thought a 4Runner should be.

Attempting to put its recalls and unintended acceleration imbroglio into the rear-view mirror, Toyota called upon its deep reserves of cash, launching a bonanza of incentive spending in March which, naturally, obligated other carmakers to do the same. The subsidized leasing and zero-interest financing, combined with a hefty shot of fleet sales, juiced the market, driving new-car sales up 24% over the dismal March 2009 total. The March figures portend full-year new-car sales of 11.7 million, which is a lot better than last year, when industry watcher were speculating whether the year would end up below 10 million (it actually finished at 10.4 million). But step back a bit, and you realize that even 11.7 million is still a long way from the 16.8 million average annual sales the industry was enjoying in the decade ending in 2007.

MARCH 2010 SALES VERSUS MARCH 2009

Nissan North America +43%
Nissan grabbed more market share in March, even in the face of a resurgent Toyota. Infiniti helped as well. Nissan +44%
The Versa (+105%) continues to do well, although it had some rather unexpected company this month, with the Armada (+171%), the Frontier (+129%), and the Maxima (+93%) also making headlines. Only the sports cars disappointed, the 370Z (-33%) and the GTR (-37%).Infiniti + 37%
The new M (+62%) did well, as did the G (+45%), while the EX (-20%) and the FX (-14%) declined, and the QX56 (+242%) confounded.

BMW Group +3%
The BMW Group was just treading water in March. The BMW brand did better than Mini, which couldn't muster any increase at all. BMW +3%
The X5 (+27%) and the 3-series (+11%) were the bright spots here. Mini +0%
An increase in convertible sales was negated by declines in the other two models. Bring on the Crossman!

This car still speaks to the core audience that made the 4Runner such a famous brand name for Toyota. It is distinct in character from Toyota's other midsize SUVs such as the Highlander although it does cross paths with the FJ Cruiser. The 4Runner's days may be limited, like the days of all rough-and-tumble off-roaders, but for now I suspect there are sufficient buyers, especially given its solid-gold reputation among outdoor adventure types.

Another weekend, another trip to Ikea to pick up a bulky item, and it should come as no surprise that the 4Runner was up to the job. This time we got a cheap set of bookcases for the basement. The bookcases stand a little over 79.5 inches tall (a little over 6.5 feet), so we folded the rear seats and slid the long, flat boxes up over the center armrest so we could close the rear hatch. Had we been thinking (and had it been warmer than 30 degrees) we could have rolled down the rear window and let the boxes stick out the back. While that wasn't necessary in this particular case, it's a nice option to have when transporting long objects.

I must be right in the age group that Toyota is aiming for with the new 4Runner because the car has a lot of items that appeal to me. It has off-road capability for those camping trips up north, slide-down rear-hatch window for those large projects around the house, and a new "party mode" for those wild tailgating gamedays. And with a 5000-lb towing capacity, it's entirely possible to load the trailer up, and take the racecar to the track.

An older me - with things to tow and children to tote - would be seriously attracted to the 4Runner. The ride is somewhat compromised and the climb-in height is a bit tall compared to a crossover, but the 4Runner is the perfect size, offering much of the capability of a larger vehicle. With that, I lament the loss of the V-8 and towing capacity. While the 4Runner is a truck I'd consider owning, I have absolutely no interest in the larger Sequoia or Land Cruiser.

My fiancée and I love the FJ Cruiser, but for completely different reasons. She's smitten with the visual throwback to the FJ45 (especially when painted in that bright blue), but I'm more impressed with the solid, capable chassis underneath.

I parked next to a Highlander in my apartment complex and couldn't help but feel vastly superior. Sure, the two may look somewhat similar, but only one of these Toyota tall-riders would survive the apocalypse. Indeed, there's no doubt the 4runner has a certain of swagger to go along with its capability, from the subtle, but tough exterior to its traditional roll-down rear window. If my life ever called for a real truck that could conquer dirt roads, the 4Runner would be near the top of my list.

Warranty

Recalls

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequences

A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

Potential Units Affected

153,418

Notes

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS, LLC

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:00

Component

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Summary

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequences

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

Potential Units Affected

271,417

Notes

GULF STATES TOYOTA, INC.

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:30

Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

Summary

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Consequences

If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Remedy

Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Potential Units Affected

3,235

Notes

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:30

Component

SEATS

Summary

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Consequences

If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Remedy

Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.

Remedy

Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.

Remedy

SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.